Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas (Stories Behind Books) | 
 enlarge | Author: Ace Collins
Publisher: Zondervan
Category: Book
List Price: $15.99
Buy New: $7.49
You Save: $8.50 (53%)
New (43) Used (18) Collectible (1) from $7.15
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 39483
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.8
ISBN: 0310239265
Dewey Decimal Number: 264.23
UPC: 025986239268
EAN: 9780310239260
ASIN: 0310239265
Publication Date: October 1, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
These true, fascinating stories of the inspiration, heartache, trials, and faith that inspired some of the greatest Christmas carols, hymns, and popular songs will enrich the joy and celebration of the Christmas season.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 A great gift January 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I heard Ace Collins on a radio show talking about his book and sharing some of the stories/origins behind many of my favorite Christmas songs, both sacred and secular. Not only did I want the book for myself, but decided it would make a great gift, especially for people in my life who have EVERYTHING--I'm sure you have some of those people too. I bought two copies at a very reasonable price and the recipients loved them. I plan to buy a few more for next Christmas.
 Great read - but too small January 11, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The book and information was wonderful. A very nice read. However - stick to the original size. This miniature edition is a little TOO miniature... only about 1 inch square.
Good for modern songs, bad for older ones. November 5, 2006
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
The author should quote his sources, because others in the future may take his statements for fact, when some of the stories are not backed up by other authors / researchers. I have found conflicting information about some of the music both in print and online. A Google search will lead you to different versions and also different background info on "The Twelve Days of Christmas", for example. Also, though I am no musicologist, I would consider a christmas song as being secular, and a christmas carol as being about sacred topics, i.e. Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. In contrast, The "Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook" is pretty good about (briefly) explaining the backgound / history of the selections (plus it has the music) and almost every one of the popular songs, but it does not always have all of the verses of the songs.
 Sloppy research March 1, 2006
12 out of 14 found this review helpful
For someone with 50 books to his credit--as per the dust jacket--Collins is highly sloppy in the research of this book. As has been previously noted, he just presented a common story about the origins of "Silent Night" without necessarily having done any deep research. And the comments about "The Twelve Days of Christmas" come straight from a silly internet piece, with no basis in fact.
This is common throughout this book. It seems more often than not, Collins has just done some cursory internet research and then slapped it all together and called it good.
Some other screw-ups: Irving Berlin was worried that "White Christmas" wasn't really a good song. Actually Berlin, upon introducing it to his office staff and musical secretary, refered to it as "not only the greatest song I've ever written, but the greatest song ever written." Berlin at one point had plans to make White Christmas the main production number in a major Broadway revue. In performing it for Crosby and studio execs, Berlin got nervous with himself and choked in performing it. You can read about this in Jody Rosen's excellent book on White Christmas, called "White Christmas."
As for his assertions about the meaning and origin of the term Merry in merry Christmas, he gets it wrong again. Ten minutes in the Oxford English Dictionary, available at any decent public library, would have given him the answers.
Better Books on this subject are Rosen's afforementioned book and "The Penguin Book of Christmas Carols" ed. Ian Bradbury.
Inspire Your Heart and Mind December 17, 2005
Did you ever wonder how your favorite Christmas hymns and carols came to be written? Where were they first sung and why? Who are the people behind them? What events in their lives, what discoveries of faith, inspired these beloved songs into being? Ace Collins has complied a lovely little book to help you find out.
For instance, here you will find everything from "Angels from the Realms of Glory" to "White Christmas". (Yes, there are some popular songs sprinkled in among the hymns and carols!). Do you know...
...What favorite hymn was written the Christmas that the church organ conked out? (Yes, I know some of you know the tale, but it is here for those who don't).
...Which one was a faithful Christian's response to the carnage of the War Between the States?
...Which hymn was penned with a visit on horseback to the village of Jesus' birthplace fresh in the writer's memory?
Ace Collins relates the stories, both familiar and fresh. He helps the reader not only wonder as they wander through the holidays but also figure out who Good King Wenceslas was and why he is worth singing about after all these years. Collins is the author of over fifty books including "Turn Your Radio On" and "The Cathedrals". All of these stories are accompanied by the words of the carols and hymns, so you can sing or hum along as you read about them.
This book would be a great devotional book or family conversation starter to use throughout the Advent season, with 31 different stories to inspire your heart and mind throughout the wondrous season. It is small enough to serve as a great stocking stuffer and lovely enough to be a stand-alone gift for any number of people on your Christmas list.
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